Review: Orchid Garden Suites Manila

I’ve been to many hotels in the city, and I can say that staying for a weekend at Orchid Garden Suites in Manila is one of my memorable stay.

Last October 2017 during my blog coverage at the recent Manila FAME, I stayed at this humble place for 3D2N. It was my first time at this place, not a typical grand hotel with high ceilings, and grand chandeliers and posh butlers around, however it gives me that kind of unique appeal.

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First, it was October but the hotel has welcomed me with these beautifully adorned Christmas decors!
I was amazed truly, and Christmas gives me delights, anyway.

The Lobby

When I reached their lobby, I instantly sensed that there is something exceptional about this hotel. I was thinking maybe this place is a former old mansion converted into a hotel. If you are very observant, you would noticed that those windows, and pillars would tell many stories of the past.

Without wasting my time, I’ve visited their website and learned that this place is indeed a former mansion house of the former Philippine Supreme Court Justice Antonio Villa-real built in 1935, and was commissioned to one of the Philippine’s National Artist of Architecture, Pablo Antonio.

During those days, this mansion was home for many dignitaries and known personalities. And in 1995, the family decided to convert it into a hotel, now known as Orchid Garden Suites. In 2006, this hotel was nominated for the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Preservation.
After reading its background story, I felt that distinct happiness that I’ve got an opportunity to spend my weekend at Orchid Garden Suites.

Each corners have those beautiful paintings which are made during it era. This photo is taken in their main elevator which is also adorned with Christmas décor. Ooh I could feel the holiday season so early then!

As I reached my floor (am on 8th floor!) I admire how shiny and tidy the floor and the wooden walls are! While walking its hallway, I felt like travel back in those golden era, and starting to enjoy the old luxurious life.

The Room

For unknown reason, I was assigned to stay at their humble Family Room (see the cost per night at above photo, via Expedia). Maybe there is no available rooms, so they gave me the family room.

Yeah, I enjoyed the whole room by myself with these three beds! LOL

Though the room lacks the amenities of the modern luxury hotels, I like the simplicity it provided. My room have this sofa, which I think could be another space for one guest!

Aside of these three comfortable beds, it has a functional air conditioner, a cable TV, a huge cabinet for my own usage, and a telephone.

My room also have this complimentary coffee, tea, and bottled waters, plus a free use water heater. My cabinet is spacious enough and had this safety deposit box for my valuable belongings. Also had this mini fridge for my food.

Here’s my humble bathroom! I’ve got the basic needs like these toiletries, fresh white towels, extra tissue roll, and a hot-and-cold shower. But my heart slightly sunk when I learned there is no bathtub (sigh, you know how much I love bathtubs!).

Well, it’s okay to have no bathtub! My heart was lifted again when I saw this hair dryer.
Yey for this! Because you can never caught me walking outside with wet hair.

Yup I guess I became comfortable with my room!

The Swimming Pool

If you feeling like want to have a dip, they have a swimming pool located at the ground floor of the hotel, next to the lobby. I haven’t got the chance to indulge in this pool, due to my hectic schedule.

The Lobby Bar

At the hotel lobby, you will see this adjacent lobby bar. They serve your favorite coffee and I guess some few drinks and wine, and also sandwiches and pancakes.

I like how cozy the appeal it gives as an adjacent bar, and the privacy it gives to their guests.

They only have few tables so you don’t have to worry about overcrowding. They also provide free wifi access, and you can enjoy your coffee here while working, and no one will bother you.

Café Alicia

Located on the right outside the hotel lobby, passing thru the patio is the Café Alicia where I spent my hearty breakfast during my stay. If I felt amazed with the hotel per se, the Café Alicia is another story.

Also in a vintage theme, Café Alicia is another unique place that you should visit when you have free time. Just like the hotel, Café Alicia was adorned with Christmas décor in October and adds appeal to this cozy place.

I love how they layout the place just like a vintage home in its prime era. The white-and-blue theme is admirable. Café Alicia serves breakfast, lunch and dinner so you can visit the place when you are nearby.

And foods?! Ahhh I have no protest. I enjoyed my hearty breakfasts and dining experience.

I also noticed how charming their dining table, as they decorated it with old newspaper clippings of every iconic happenings many years back. It is very interesting to read those clippings while waiting for your ordered food. Also, you will noticed these black-and-white photos of every wives of the early Philippine Presidents. Very charming!

This café is not only make me enjoy their food, but also the history that they patiently plastered in the whole place!

And if you want to enjoy fresh air, you may opt to dine al fresco. Good for enjoying your coffee and reading your favorite book!

Look how quaint this patio/parking space! I like it and you can truly feel and smell that fresh air these plants brings in.

By the way, before I leave that night to attend the Gala of Weaves, I never missed that opportunity to take some souvenir photos wearing my dress.

Hahaha I felt like am truly travelling back in time!
I also like the olive-and-white color themed of this hotel. Although some of their furniture (like that sofa in the lobby) needs to upgrade, however those wooden furniture gives a distinctive appeal and can stayed as is.

Verdict:

Overall, my weekend at Orchid Garden Suites brought another exceptional experience to my entire staycation life. I like how attentive their staffs are, the foods, everything is worthy!

For this staycation, I would live it a 4-star experience!

If you want to experience traveling back in time, you may opt to check and stay at Orchid Garden Suites, and discover its story by yourself.

Wow.. The mansion is so beautiful. I never saw the shinning floor like this before in every hotel ive been to. The room was so spacious for a family and im sure the guest will have a stunning experience here.

Personally, what makes me excited whenever I get the chance to have a staycation is not just the comfort that it brings, but also the swimming pool and the food. This is actually so perfect for me, I will definitely try to stay here If I get to travel to Manila soon. The room looks really spacious, organized and clean. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

These are some very beautiful impressions and it seems you really had a great time there,especially in your 3-bed room :)The lobby looks very inviting and cozy. Also the Cafe Alicia looks adorbale, everything so white and pure. I love the idea with the newspapers as a dining table - thats really cool.If I might once visit Manila, I would surely also like to stay in the Orchid garden suites

Looks like a good option for those looking for large suite-style rooms and elegant decor for an affordable price. Some of the furnishings in the room look a little basic but mostly, the place looks quite grand!

This space looks exceptionally quaint and enjoyable. The perfect place to relax and enjoy time away from home. The family room concept seems quite cool- especially for those with children who can sleep in their own beds but need to be close. Thank you for the review!

I would've never guessed this is the former mansion of former SC Justice Villareal. Now I am curious, makes me want to stay there. lol. That hotel is simple yet classy. And you look beautiful in that gown btw.

I'm soooo jealous...lol I absolutely love the pics you posted too, not to mention the one where you were sitting in that lovely dress. I wanna stay here now!! haha Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience here.

The Orchid Garden looks very cozy and well located. Great to hear it provides a 4-star experience, even if it lacks some of the luxury features. It's always fun to stay someplace with a lot of history behind it.

Looks like you had an amazing staycation! I have to keep the Orchid Garden Suites in mind if I'm ever traveling through that area. Sorry that you didn't get a chance to relax by the pool, but it looks like you got a little downtime in your room. Also - your dress is beautiful!

Such a lovely place to stay! It's so funny that you got yourself 3 beds. The lobby bar looks really cozy. Also, I would like to have a meal at Café Alicia. The food looks yummy and the decoration is lovely.

I love love love your Hala outfit, it is chic and you look totally gorgeous! The hotel is indeed very beautiful, the vintage decor is so pretty to look at. What a perfect option for a staycation in Manila!

This one must be high on heritage if it was nominated for UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Preservation. I found it very classy in appeal. Looks extremely neat and organized. The cafe looks cheerful than the rest of the hotel. I loved your dress. Thank you for suggesting this option for Manila.

Wow, the interior design of this place looks absolutely fabulous! I sure wouldn't mind spending a few days in here. No wonder it was nominated for UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Preservation! Thank you for another great suggestion :)

I laughed when I saw how big your room was for just you! At least you felt like a queen during your stay. I love all the modern details that the Orchid Garden Suites has. I think it looks very upscale and a great relaxing retreat for travelers.

What a stunning place to stay! I am planning to go to the Philippines this spring and this post was just right for me. What a lovely breakfast, and what lovely interior design. I would most likely consider staying here, and I am saving your post for future references. I will definitely let you know if I ended up booking a room here =)

Thanks Ann! This is a perfect location for you especially if you are first time in Manila. This is walking distance to the Manila Bay area and few minutes away to other touristic destination here in the city.

Former mansion house of the chief justice of Manila, wow! When I look at the bedroom and the lobby bar, it does look like it could be someone's home - warm and cosy, rather than a hotel. Love the interiors of Cafe Alicia! Orchid Garden Suites look like a pretty cool place to stay in Manila, thanks for the recommendation.

This seems like a comfortable and luxurious hotel. Loving the simple decor in the room and the methodical way it is arranged. And to add the heritage bit to it - well, there is no reason why one must not stay here.

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